CHAPTER 81
Though the young Prince Jorge had managed to maintain order after word came north of Andronikos’ death, the army was likely to stay in the vicinity of Byzant until things were more stable. This allowed Leto to withdraw some troops from the Dalmatian frontier to Concord, enough to restore absolute order in the Old City and to mop up the last of Geta’s bravos, who had outlived their usefulness.
The next step was bringing Etruria to heel.
The Ariminumese delegation sat opposite Torbidda and Leto at the stone table. Leto had left Ariminum on bad terms and his attitude to the smiling procurator was not conciliatory.
‘I was most gratified to receive your invitation, First Apprentice. Though we afforded General Spinther every opportunity to catch Contessa Scaligeri, he was – if I may say – rather rude when she escaped. How it was our fault, I can’t imagine. Look, things were said in the heat of the moment … we are willing to forget. For our part the deal negotiated still stands.’
‘I would have promised anything to scupper the league,’ said Leto.
‘Of course. Nevertheless an alliance between Concord and Ariminum is logical. Our ambitions do not overlap, but our common enemy, if we are to realise our ambitions unhindered, is Oltremare.’
‘So you want our siege-engines?’ said Torbidda neutrally.
‘And engineers to teach the arsenalotti to operate them. Give us the sea, First Apprentice, and Etruria is yours.’
The procurator had brought Admiral Azizi along ‘for his expertise’, though the Moor did little beside study Torbidda with unconcealed curiosity. The procurator’s giddiness made up for the admiral’s reserve; since Torbidda appeared willing to countenance the alliance, he was full of ideas for postinvasion arrangements.
Leto felt obliged to sound a note of military caution. ‘First Apprentice, it’s one thing moving markers on a map, quite another in the field. Sappers can only do the job if they land. I’m sure Admiral Azizi will agree that establishing a beachhead in Akka would be difficult.’
When the Moor said nothing, the procurator waved his hand dismissively. ‘The Queen’s navy is old. Pirates like Azizi here are as much as they can deal with. Our armada will overwhelm them.’
‘You’re being complacent,’ said Leto. ‘I saw no galley equal to the Tancred in all Ariminum.’
‘The Tancred is but one ship,’ said the procurator. ‘Our Arsenale can churn out a galley a day. And our munitions a—’
‘May I interrupt?’ the Moor boomed suddenly.
‘Oh,’ the procurator said doubtfully, ‘by all means.’
‘With Concord’s recent convulsions, First Apprentice, I understand construction of the sea-corridor has been postponed. Is this so?’
‘Amongst other things.’
‘Why go to the trouble of building a harbour when I can give you one?’
Leto looked at the Moor as if seeing him for the first time. ‘I think the Ariminumese government might object.’
‘Not if they’re hanging from the yardarms of my galleys.’
‘Praetorian.’ Torbidda pointed at the stunned procurator. ‘Arrest this man,’
Leto gave a start. ‘Are you mad, Torbidda? What is this?’
‘A gesture of good faith. Admiral Azizi works for Queen Catrina, Leto.’
When the Moor bowed in acknowledgment, the procurator leapt up, spitting, ‘Slave, you bite the hand that feeds you!’
Slowly the Moor turned towards him. He held up his bejewelled hand and commanded, ‘Look here!’ The procurator stared mesmerised as the Moor’s hand closed around his neck. ‘Here’s the hand that feeds me!’
The struggling procurator could not break free, and as the Moor turned back to the Concordians, the gasping stopped abruptly with a wet, crumbling sound.
‘Let me get this straight,’ said Leto as the guard dragged the procurator’s body away. ‘When you were receiving a stipend to attack the Oltremarines—’
‘—I was in her Majesty’s employ, yes. I like a diverse portfolio.’
‘And she sent you as a prisoner to Ariminum—’
‘—knowing the Ariminumese would free me. Even she didn’t think they’d be so rash as to promote me to admiral.’
‘And when we chased the Tancred, and that Rasenneisi bitch gave us the slip …’ Leto stood up suddenly.
‘Please, Spinther, be seated,’ the Moor said smoothly. ‘I was under orders.’
‘Queen Catrina must be terrified of the Ariminumese,’ said Torbidda lightly.
‘With good reason. For once the procurator spoke the truth: she’s not ready for an invasion. She’s been dealing with the Ebionite tribes and – how to put it? – family disputes for the last few years. How can we help each other?’
‘The Contessa of Rasenna’s child. I want it. Failing that, I want it dead.’
Catching on, Leto said, ‘Remember, Azizi: we could clap you in irons, then sail over and take her.’
The Moor gave Leto a dismissive look. ‘You need to concentrate on Etruria before starting another war. You asked for the child returned or killed, First Apprentice, and made no mention of the mother. This isn’t about Rasenna, is it?’
‘Queen Catrina should fear this child as much as I do,’ said Torbidda. ‘He threatens all princes.’
‘What matter if she loses her kingdom to him or you?’ The Moor smiled. ‘She has a foolish notion – the female mind defies all understanding, does it not? – that you don’t want this child to grow up … Cross her, and she’ll hide it away where you’ll never find it.’
‘Or?’
‘Or we can send the Contessa back on the next west-bound galley.’
Torbidda didn’t attempt to bluff. ‘Your terms?’
‘Ariminum.’
‘Torbidda, don’t let this dog manipulate us too,’ Leto said. ‘If we attack Ariminum, it’ll chase them back into alliance with the rest of the south.’
‘You misunderstand, Spinther; I only ask that you stand aside. The arsenalotti are loyal to me and poised to take over every ward and bridge in Ariminum. All we want, First Apprentice, is that when the Consilium Sapientium petitions you for help—’
‘—that I say no. Done. I need that child.’
Leto followed Torbidda to the Guild Hall. ‘Tell me what you’re thinking. Why’s the Scaligeri girl so important? I really thought that was just a ploy to break up the league – and it worked. Does it really matter what happens to her?’
Torbidda bared his teeth in rage. ‘After all this time, you still understand nothing! I need that child, Leto!’ Moving impossibly fast, Torbidda grabbed Leto by the collar. ‘There’s nothing more important – not you, not this, not any of it!’
Leto pulled himself free, breathing hard. ‘You’re going crazy, you know that? That damn preacher has addled your mind. I don’t know why you keep visiting him. Stay away from him – or better yet, cut his throat and be done with it.’
‘I may need him yet,’ Torbidda said, calming.
When they reached the Drawing Hall, Torbidda unlocked the door – he had the only key – and turned to Leto, tears streaming down his face. ‘Don’t you get it?’ he cried. ‘I can’t solve it. I can’t!’
Leto was mildly shocked to see Torbidda so emotional. ‘You can solve anything,’ he said firmly, gripping him by the shoulders. ‘You’re Cadet Sixty, for goodness’ sake!’
‘Remember the day they made us into numbers?’ Torbidda said, gazing beyond Leto. ‘Agrippina told us to take nothing that would slow us down, and I did it, Leto! I discarded everything – conscience, morality, friendship. I think what’s slowing me down now is my soul.’
He locked the door before Leto could respond.